Does Alocasia Black Velvet go dormant?

How big is Black Velvet Alocasia?

Alocasia Reginula ‘Black Velvet,’ also known as Jewel Alocasia, is a tiny plant with large, lush, nearly black leaves and silver veins. The velvet-like leaves of this Alocasia are a little scratchy to the touch. It barely grows to a height of 30-40cm.

What does Alocasia Black Velvet look like?

Black Velvet Alocasia is a showy, tropical houseplant that can easily be grown indoors or outdoors. It’s stunning, glossy leaves are very large in size and taper to a point.

The black leaves of the Black Velvet stand out, as do the conspicuous pale green, white, or silver veins. Its heart-shaped, thick, succulent-like leaves have a velvety appearance and a rigid feel.

The leaves are approximately six inches long and two and a half inches broad.

Where can Alocasia Black Velvet be grown?

Alocasia Black Velvet loves indirect, strong light but may withstand fairly low light levels. If you’re not sure about your light levels, place this plant near a northern or eastern facing window.

Alocasia Black Velvet enjoys heat as much as you do.

They like temperatures ranging from 59oF (15oC) to 80oF (27oC) or greater; the higher the temperature, the faster they develop.

Is Black Velvet Alocasia?

Alocasia Black Velvet is a popular tiny jewel Alocasia with distinctive black leaves and a compact growth habit.

Named for its royal aspect as well as its black velvety leaves, which are attractively contrasted by the piercing white venation.

A magnificent dark jewel of a plant. This is a hardy, tropical perennial with glossy leaves and a compact growth habit.

How do I keep Black Velvet Alocasia healthy?

Light: This plant thrives in bright light; direct sun will burn its leaves faster than indirect light. Too much direct sun may cause growth to stall and easily scorch the leaves, so keep the plant away from windowsills where too much sunlight can be a problem.

Temperature: Alocasia Black Velvet seems happiest in temperatures between 65oF (18oC) to 80oF (27oC). They will tolerate a wider range depending on the species and are somewhat more tolerant of cold temperatures.

Watering: This plant needs a fast-draining potting soil or mix, which gives Alocasia Black Velvet sufficient moisture without wet feet. Water only when the top inch of soil is dry. Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.

Repotting: Regular repotting every two to three years will ensure that Alocasia Black Velvet’s roots develop strong and healthy, which allows for better growth.

When the time comes to repot, use a mix of 1 part peat moss, 1 part sand and 2 parts [composted] potting soil. This will give the plant all the nutrients it needs.

Fertilizer: Feed this plant monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted to half strength.

Propagating: Propagate Alocasia Black Velvet by seed.

How do I propagate Alocasia Black Velvet?

Alocasia Black Velvet can be propagated via rhizomes or seeds. Roots and leaves are poisonous if ingested by pets or people.

All parts of the plant are poisonous if eaten, even in small quantities. To propagate Alocasia Black Velvet, use a sterilized knife to cut a 6-inch-long stem section near the base of a healthy stem.

Trim the leaf tips off the cutting, so they are flush with the stem. Place the stem in a pot of moist rooting medium with only the leaves and knife showing above the surface.

Keep soil evenly moist and maintain room temperatures of 75oF to 85oF (24oC to 29oC) for four to six weeks.

Transplant into 4-inch pots after new growth appears at the base of the plant and then continue to care for it as described for adult plants, except allow for slightly more shade.

Why is my Alocasia Black Velvet turning yellow?

Yellowing can be a sign of overwatering, under watering, or significant change in environmental conditions. Yellowing leaves can be a sign of water stress, even if this is not obvious.

In addition to yellow leaves, you may see brown leaf tips and edges and leaf drop. The plant may also begin to decline in overall health and vigor.

Alocasia Black Velvet may also yellow due to pest or disease problems, or focusing on one problem can exacerbate the other. Yellowing plants with pests should be treated immediately with appropriate pesticides (see below).

If you are sure that your plant has not been exposed to pests, begin by repotting the plant in fresh potting soil and move it to a new spot in the house. Consider moving it outdoors during the summer, if possible.

Can you grow Alocasia Black Velvet from seed?

Alocasia Black Velvet can be propagated by vegetative seed or started from cuttings. Seedlings will typically develop much faster than rooted cuttings, because the speed of propagation is dependent on the species and can vary significantly between varieties.

When growing a new plant from seed, it is best to allow for several weeks before planting it outdoors. Special care should be taken when sowing seeds, as they are most easily damaged immediately after germination.

Sow Alocasia Black Velvet seeds in small containers, as they will typically not survive when sown directly into the ground. Also be sure to provide ample light and moisture while the seeds are germinating.

What do you do with Alocasia Black Velvet flower?

Alocasia Black Velvet can be used as a groundcover in the home landscape. It is also used as a houseplant, or grown in pot culture with other houseplants and decorative plants.

Alocasia Black Velvet requires coarse, well-draining soil and careful watering to avoid damp circumstances.

It enjoys humidity levels of 60-75%, temperatures ranging from 59 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 degrees Celsius), and moderate indirect light. During the growth season, fertilize gently every 4 weeks and repot only when necessary.

Does Alocasia Black Velvet have seeds?

Black Velvet will have a smaller rhizome system, and you will need to propagate from these. It is also possible to grow Alocasia ‘Black Velvet’ from seeds, albeit this is a time-consuming operation. The rhizome splitting procedure will provide quicker results.

Alocasia Black Velvet’s large flowers produce small seeds. After the petals fall off, the seed capsules will remain on the plant for about a month before splitting open and scattering their contents. To collect seeds, gently remove the capsules from the plants with a clean cloth or small stick.

Clean the capsule of any seeds that fall out by placing it in a glass of water and swishing it around. Remove floating seeds by pushing them to one side of the glass.

Is Black Velvet poisonous?

Alocasia Black Velvet includes needle-shaped calcium oxalate crystals that can irritate the mouth and digestive tract. It is harmful to cats and dogs; keeps youngsters away from it. The sap is also highly irritant and can cause serious skin irritation.

The plant should not be eaten by humans or pets, and should never be ingested. The leaves of Alocasia Black Velvet contain calcium oxalate.

The sap from the plant can irritate skin upon contact. Hairs on the stems and leaves are also irritating to touch, so gloves should be worn when handling it.

As with any houseplant, you may want to consider growing Alocasia Black Velvet in an area that is out of reach of pets and children.

How do you pollinate Alocasia Black Velvet flower?

Alocasia Black Velvet requires pollination by insects. Many of the Alocasia species are also pollinated by ants, but this is not the case for Alocasia ‘Black Velvet.’

The petals of the flower will open and remain receptive to pollen for only a short period of time.

The method entails removing a part of the spathe near the base of the inflorescence in order to obtain access to the pistils.

After exposing the pistils, we gently dab the dry brush over the moist pistils before dipping it in the pollen we wish to use for our cross.

Does Alocasia Zebrina go dormant?

Why my Alocasia Melo are leaves turning yellow?

Is Black Velvet Alocasia indoor?

Alocasia Black Velvet is an excellent houseplant that can be used as a table plant or in a hanging basket. It prefers some humidity, so watering should be done with care in order to avoid root rot. Alocasia Black Velvet can be grown indoors in a pot, or outdoors in a hanging basket, just make sure that it gets plenty of sunlight.

The leaves of Alocasia Black Velvet will grow to be about 4 inches (10 centimeters) long and 1.5 inches (4 centimeters) wide if grown indoors and can thrive in bright indirect light all year round.

The plant does not need much water once established and can withstand several weeks without any attention from the owner.

Should you mist Alocasia Black Velvet?

Misting is not required for the healthy growth of the Black Velvet, as it is for many other plants. Misting may be an excellent option if you have an outdoor greenhouse or a covered porch where you cultivate it throughout the summer.

During the hot summer days, misting keeps the humidity surrounding your plant at a comfortable level and can help improve defense against common pests.

Misting also aids in the management of spider mites and scale building on the leaves and stems. Because they spring out more quickly when the leaves are damp, typical bugs are easier to see.

Misting should be done on an as-needed basis and is most effective when conjunction with your leaf cleaning routine (mist and then gently wipe leaves with a cloth to remove dust from the leaf surface).

Can you propagate Alocasia Black Velvet in water?

Do not propagate Alocasia Black Velvet in water! Alocasia Black Velvet can be propagated by division. It is best to do this when the rhizomes have dried out, as excess moisture will have a negative impact on the health of the plant.

To perform a division, dig up your Alocasia Black Velvet and trim off unwanted growth, use a sharp knife to carefully cut into the rhizome using a clean white piece of paper or cloth as a guide.

This can be done in your house, or in a pot. Place the cuttings (rhizomes) into a glass of water with some nutrients and mist lightly.

How big Alocasia Black Velvet does leave get?

Alocasia Black Velvet leaves are big and shiny and can be up to 6 inches (16 centimeters) in length. Leaves are round and dark green in color.

Alocasia Black Velvet plant is a climbing vine and will grow to about 5 feet (1.5 meters) high if left unpruned, but you can take full advantage of this magnificent foliage by pruning it back to keep it from reaching out of your home or window box, where your guests can admire it more easily.

How do you save Alocasia Black Velvet?

Repotting Alocasia Black Velvet is very easy. You can use any cactus soil, but it must be well-drained to prevent root rot.

Since you can grow Alocasia Black Velvet in a pot that is more shallow than a regular-depth pot, it will require more frequent repotting – about every 1 to 2 years.

The diameter of the pot should also be increased by 1/4 inch every year to keep the plant from growing too big for its pot.

You can grow Alocasia Black Velvet in a container with drainage holes, but like any other houseplant with straight stems, it is recommended that you do not overwater it.

What soil is best for Alocasia Black Velvet?

Alocasia Black Velvet roots thrive in well-aerated, loose soil. Tropical plant potting mixes are often high in organic matter and comprise peat, perlite, coconut coir, and other substrates that hold just enough moisture without getting too saturated.

Alocasia Black Velvet is a tropical plant so its soil should be similar to that of regular houseplants. Use a cactus potting soil with every other layer mixed with sand or Perlite. Black Velvet prefers a neutral soil which means it requires less fertilization.

If you’re going to fertilize your plant, use Roots Excelurator Fertilizer every spring and summer and liquid fish fertilizer on the roots once per month during the growing season.